In the field of flight mechanics and aviation, thrust refers to the force generated by an aircraft’s engines or propulsion system that propels the aircraft forward through the air. Thrust is a crucial concept in understanding aircraft performance, especially in terms of acceleration, speed, and the ability to overcome drag and maintain flight.
- T: Thrust required to maintain a specific flight condition (usually in Newtons or pounds-force).
- W: Aircraft weight (also known as aircraft gross weight, including the weight of the aircraft itself, fuel, payload, and passengers).
- CD: Coefficient of drag, which represents the aerodynamic drag force acting on the aircraft as it moves through the air.
- CL: Coefficient of lift, which represents the efficiency of the wing or airfoil in generating lift.